Cycling

Travelling on two or three wheels is one of the best ways to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Cairngorms National Park, which offers some of the UK’s most accessible cycling. 

No matter what your cycling experience or interest you'll find a great trail waiting to be ridden, including routes suitable for adaptive bikes, and local hire. Easy-going, gentle and mainly traffic-free cycle routes are a great way for all the family to enjoy the National Park and unwind together, and a great reason to leave the car at home and get some exercise.  

The Old Logging Way links Aviemore via Inverdruie to Glenmore, perfect for a family cycle out to Loch an Eilein. The Speyside Way meanders through the countryside through Badenoch and Strathspey, providing a traffic-free route from town to town.

Thanks to the region’s diverse terrain the National Park also provides countless opportunities for those wanting to explore and looking for more adventure. It’s not only the landscape that makes the National Park a great destination for biking, but also the wealth of tracks, paths and trails that delve deep into magnificent woodlands, wind up hillsides and reach deep into remote mountain areas.

For those looking to build or hone their skills, take to local trails or head to the purpose-built mountain bike centres, Bike Glenlivet and Laggan Wolftrax, Plus, there’s no shortage of bike hire, guides and coaching to help you on your way. 

If road cycling is more up your street, the Aberdeenshire Ascents brings together ten of the region’s most challenging and rewarding routes, with three of the four big climbs - Glenshee, Gairnshiel and the Lecht - situated in the Cairngorms National Park. 

However hard you want to push it, there are opportunities galore to fuel up with cake, coffee (and more!) at the range of cafés, restaurants and pubs you’ll pass along the way. And with numerous local bike shops across the National Park there is plenty of friendly advice on offer and locations to hire bikes. There are also options to try out electric and adaptive bikes, tandems and trikes with specialist providers.

Just remember whether mountain biking, gravel riding or road cycling, always be well prepared and make a day out in the Cairngorms enjoyable for everyone.